Heading into the 2024 season, the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive backs have much to prove.
There is no shortage of star power amongst the group with All-Pro’s DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs headlining.
When it comes to depth, Dallas has that too.
Savvy veterans like Jourdan Lewis and Malik Hooker have been mainstays for the Cowboys secondary for years now.
With a new defensive regime coming in, the pressure on this group to perform is huge.
Dallas is coming off a blowout playoff loss that saw an embarrassing defensive effort, and true redemption is the only thing this secondary can provide the fanbase to make up for it.
Final score:
48 — Packers
32 — CowboysPackers tie their franchise record for points in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/9Ii26WQAOH
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 15, 2024
Not to mention, Diggs has his own vendetta, as he returns the ACL tear that ended his 2023 season.
This is all to say that the Cowboys’ secondary will play a major role in the team’s success, or lack thereof, in 2024.
The stars, veterans, and young guys must step up for consistent defensive success in Dallas.
With that in mind, let’s look at 3 defensive backs the Cowboys coaching staff is counting on this season.
The Star: Cornerback DaRon Bland
The aforementioned Bland has a huge season ahead of him.
Coming off a record-breaking 2023, the expectations have never been higher for this former 5th-round pick.
At just 24 years old, Bland has 14 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, and 123 tackles in his 23 career games.
That includes just 23 games started, as his starting reps mostly started in 2023.
With Diggs coming back, the Cowboys are expected to have one of the best cornerback duos in the NFL.
Most INTs since 2021:
1. Trevon Diggs – 15
T-2. DaRon Bland – 14 pic.twitter.com/UuA25l1nqO— PFF (@PFF) January 11, 2024
But, that has never been expected of Bland.
In his rookie season, he had virtually no expectations and had a great year.
Last season, there was some excitement around his name, but nobody expected a nine-interception, 5 touchdown run from him.
The same can’t be said this time around.
In 2024, Bland is going to have to take a big step up in his coverage skills while continuing to improve his ball-hawk ability.
Is he up for the task of being one of the league’s best, most consistent young corners?
The Vet: Safety Donovan Wilson
Time flies in the NFL, and that can certainly be said for veteran Safety Donovan Wilson.
His explosive sophomore year that saw his first defensive reps is now five seasons ago.
The former Texas A&M Aggie is now heading into his age 29 season.
Wilson has developed into a key part of the Cowboys’ defensive backs room, totaling 189 tackles, five sacks, and three interceptions in the last two years alone.
DONOVAN WILSON INT!!!pic.twitter.com/EVdy0kOl3J
— Tom Downey (@WhatGoingDowney) December 31, 2023
Despite all the success to this point, however, he may be poised for his best yet in 2024.
The addition of Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer has the potential to unlock Wilson in a way we have not seen yet.
Zimmer’s patented “double A gap” look will likely feature Wilson in the middle of the defensive front.
Because of his fantastic run support and box ability, Zimmer will use him to blitz, drop into intermediate coverage, or chase down running backs.
The former Vikings head coach loves using “hybrid” players like Wilson to his advantage.
Think of Wilson this year as an enforcer on the Cowboys’ defense.
His impact in coverage might not be as pronounced, but Zimmer is going to let him do what he does best.
Blitzing and getting into the backfield will be his forte in 2024.
The Kid: Cornerback Eric Scott Jr
The 2024 campaign is as big as it gets for Eric Scott Jr., the team’s 6th-round pick in 2023.
Usually, year two for a 6th rounder is just another unnoticed development year, but things are a bit different in Scotts’ case.
Dallas traded up for the former Southern Mississpii product in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The pick they traded was a 2024 5th-rounder.
When you combine with the lack of a 4th round pick from the Trey Lance deal, the Cowboys had very little draft capital in the 2024 Draft.
Cowboys trade up to select DB Eric Scott at top of sixth round of 2023 NFL Drafthttps://t.co/DaASv0AP7d pic.twitter.com/Omf6CX9PqC
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) April 29, 2023
This heightens the need for Scott to perform, or at least see the field.
In his rookie season, some early struggles resulted in a lack of playing time.
Scott did not record a single defensive snap in 2023, and with the Cowboys defensive back room being as crowded as it is, this might be his last shot before being pushed out.
His main competition for snaps will be rookie Caelen Carson, veteran Nahshon Wright, and hybrid man Israel Mukuamu.
Nobody is expecting Scott to light the world on fire this season.
However, if he once again can’t earn valuable snaps, the Dallas front office is going to regret the trade-up.
Production from Scott could be a huge boost for the Cowboys’ defensive backs.
